Modulation of hepatocarcinogenesis in N-methyl-N-nitrosourea treated Balb/c mice by mushroom extracts

Systematic Review: Heat Treatments on Phenolic Content, Antioxidant Activity, and Sensory Quality of Malaysian Mushroom: Oyster (Pleurotus spp.) and Black Jelly (Auricularia spp.)

Pleurotus spp. and Auricularia spp. are popular species consumed by the Malaysian community. Recently, due to increased awareness, both mushrooms are also being consumed for their bioactive compounds, ergothioneine, and antioxidant properties and has been used since earlier ages as therapeutic remedies. The bioactive compounds such as phenol, flavonoid and ergothioneine found in both Pleurotus and Auricularia mushrooms were explored. Differences in heat treatments (microwave, hot air drying, and solar drying) and cooking methods may affect the content of bioactive compounds and their properties. Similarly, sensory acceptance by consumers may be affected too. Antioxidant properties using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl) radical and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) assay of both raw and heat-treated mushrooms are included. Microwave drying retained color characteristics and bioactive compounds in both mushrooms. To add value to this review, a survey on the consumption pattern of Pleurotus and Auricularia species among Malaysians has been conducted online and concluded that Pleurotus species is the most considered species compared to Auricularia mushroom and almost half of the respondents were not aware that heat may deplete nutritional contents in mushroom despite agreeing both gave beneficial health in diets.

Mushroom-Derived Bioactive Molecules as Immunotherapeutic Agents: A Review

Mushrooms with enhanced medicinal properties focus on finding such compounds that could modulate the human body's immune systems. Mushrooms have antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiviral, hepatoprotective, antitumor, and immunomodulatory properties due to the presence of various bioactive components. β-glucans are the major constituent of the mushroom cell wall and play a significant role in their biological activity. This review described the techniques used in the extraction of the active ingredients from the mushroom. We highlighted the structure of the bioactive polysaccharides present in the mushrooms. Therapeutic applications of different mushrooms were also described. It is interesting to note that mushrooms have the potential sources of many bioactive products that can regulate immunity. Thus, the development of functional medicinal food based on the mushroom is vital for human welfare.

Fermented papaya preparation modulates the progression of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea induced hepatocellular carcinoma in Balb/c mice

AIM AND MAIN METHOD

The medicinal properties of fermented papaya preparation (FPP) derived from Carica papaya fruit was investigated in order to determine its ability to modulate the progression of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea induced hepatocellular carcinoma in Balb/c mice.

KEY FINDINGS

As well as reducing the physical symptoms associated with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma, supplementation of Balb/c mice with 500mg FPP/kg BW for 92days normalized the blood cell count, led to an increased activity of several key antioxidant enzymes (SOD: +20%, CAT: +81%, GPx: +66.1%, GR: +54.4%; P<0.001 vs. MNU control), increased the ferrous reducing antioxidant potential (+36.7%, P<0.001 vs. MNU control) and reduced the extent of lipid peroxidation in the liver by 44.3% (P<0.001 vs. MNU control).

SIGNIFICANCE

Results demonstrated the ability of FPP to preserve the integrity of liver against oxidative damage and protect hepatocytes against irreversible DNA structural modifications induced by MNU, highlighting its potential role as an immune-defense modulator during hepatocarcinoma.